Grating-Locked Pump Sources for Optical Fiber Amplifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical fiber amplifiers face challenges with temperature fluctuations causing significant drift in output wavelength spectrum, leading to reduced efficiency and the need for active cooling, which increases complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

The use of grating-locked pump sources with a control system that adjusts drive currents based on temperature measurements to maintain spectral overlap with the active optical fiber's absorption spectrum, eliminating the need for active cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If active cooling equipment is used to maintain pump source temperature, then the operational temperature range is extended, but the system complexity, cost and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational temperature rangeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical active cooling systems (chillers, thermoelectric coolers) with an optical feedback mechanism. Temperature sensors detect pump source temperature, and this information feeds back to control the pump source drive current, thereby controlling the laser wavelength without mechanical cooling equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system where temperature sensors continuously monitor pump source temperature, and the control system adjusts pump source drive current based on temperature measurements to maintain wavelength stability. This feedback loop eliminates the need for active cooling while maintaining operational stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If active cooling equipment is used to maintain pump source temperature, then wavelength stability is improved, but the system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength stabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive mechanical cooling infrastructure with low-cost optical and electronic components including temperature sensors and current control circuitry. This substitution dramatically reduces system cost while maintaining wavelength stability through the feedback mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump sources are made self-regulating through the feedback system. Each pump source automatically adjusts its own operating parameters based on real-time temperature measurements, eliminating the need for external active cooling infrastructure and reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If active cooling equipment is used to maintain pump source temperature, then operational reliability is improved, but the system size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the bulky active cooling equipment (chillers, cooling towers, piping, thermoelectric coolers) from the system. Only compact temperature sensors and control electronics remain, dramatically reducing system size while maintaining operational reliability through the feedback control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes large mechanical cooling systems with compact optical-electronic feedback control. The entire cooling infrastructure is replaced by small temperature sensors and current control circuitry that actively manage pump source temperature without requiring physical cooling equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for stable operation over a wide range of temperatures without active cooling, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining high efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

each grating-locked pump source being configured to output pump radiation having a spectrum that substantially overlaps with the absorption spectrum associated with the active dopant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission from pump source: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

an active optical fiber having an active dopant, an absorption spectrum associated with the active dopant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption of optical radiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11158990B2Optical fiber amplifier system and methods of using same

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 ATTALON SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to optical fiber amplifying systems having operability at a wide variety of ambient temperatures and to methods for using them. One aspect of the disclosure is an optical fiber system configured to provide amplified radiation. The system includes an active optical fiber; a plurality of grating-locked pump sources, each having an output optically coupled to the active optical fiber; one or more temperature sensors, configured to measure a temperature associated with one or more of the grating-locked pump sources; and a control system configured to accept measurements from the one or more temperature sensors and, for a desired total pump power output, to provide to one or more of the grating-locked pump sources a set of drive currents suitable to provide the desired total pump power output.